Fire-escape



(No Model.)

J. H. MGELR-OY.

FIRE ESCAPE.

No. 271,498. Patented Jan.30, 1883.

N. PETERS. Phulvuihngnpher. Wuhinghm D Q.

UNITED I rates JAMES H. MOELROY, OF MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 271,498, dated January30, 1883.

Application filed July 1, 1882.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAMES H. MOELROY, ofMiddletown, in the county of Orange and State of NewYork, have inventeda certain new and useful Improvementin Fire-Escapes, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This improvement relates to fire-escapes of the kind Wl1lch consist offlexible ladders having their rungs connected by metallic chains orequivalent devices.

The improvement consists in the combination, in a fire-escape, withrungs and chains or like devices extending between them, of ferrulesmade in the form of caps, covering the ends of the rungs, and providedwith means whereby the chains or like devices may be secured to them,and rods extending longitudinally through the rungs and fastened attheir ends in the caps and securing them together.

The improvement also consists in the combination, with a fire-escapehaving its rungs connected by chains or like devices, of hooks connectedto the upper end of the chains or like devices for securing the same tothe sill of a window, and other hooks for securing them to the jambs ofthe window.

The improvement also consists in the combination, with a fire escapehaving its rungs connected by chains or like devices, and having suchchains or devices extended above the top rung, and provided withfastenings for securing them to a window, of an extensible brace adaptedto hold the said chains or devices apart, so as to prevent the weight ofthe ladder or any weight thereon from drawing the fastenings from thewindow or out of the positions they are desired to occupy.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front view of aladderembodying my improvement and a window in a building to which itisapplied. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of one of the rungs of the ladderand its appurtenances. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of one end ofa ringand appurtenances of modified form. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of theextensible brace; and Fig. 5 represents a horizontal section of thewindow, showing the manner of securing the ladder thereto by booksengaging with the jambs and sill.

Similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts in all thefigures.

A designates the rungs of the ladder. They (No model.)

may be made of wood or other suitable matethe top rung and below thebottom rung.

Preferably ordinary cable-linked chain will be employed, as that will beless liable to kink than other kinds. In lieu of chains metallic ropesmay be used, if desirable.

O designates metal ferrules fitting upon the ends of the rungs A. andmade in the form of caps. As shown in Fig. 2, the two ferrules of therung are secured in place by means of a metal rod, r, passing throughthe ferrules and rung and clinched at the ends beyond the terrules.These ferrules severally have eyes at extending above and below them, inline with the rungs, and affording convenient provision for fasteningthe chains or like devices to the ferrules. These ferrules not onlyprotect the ends" of the rungs, but also serve as connections betweenthe rungs and the chains orlike devices which extend from them.

In Fig. 3 the rung A is made of wood, as before, but the ferrules do notcover the ends of the rungs. WVedges l) are driven into the ends of therungs to expand them into the ferrules and prevent the latter frombecoming detached. The ferrules are also provided with lugs I, throughwhich pass rivets s, servingas additional means for securing theferrules in place. The ferrules have eyes a like those of the ferrulesfirst described.

The chains B extend above the top rung, and are provided with hooks D,whereby they may be fastened to the sill of a window, and other hooks E,whereby they maybe fastened to thejambs, as best shown in Fig. 5. Thesechains also extend below the lowermost'rung, and at the ends areprovided with rings 0, forming hand-pieces, whereby the fire-escape maybe steadied.

In connection with the upper portion of the chains, I employ anextensible brace, G G. It consists of two sections, each of which has astrap or'keeper, (l, to hold the two together,

and yet allow of their sliding upon each other lengthwise. A screw, 6,serves to securethem in any positions to which they may be adjusted.This brace holds the upper portions of the chains apart and prevents theweight of or on the fire-escape from drawing them toward each other anddisengaging them from each other.

This fire-escape is simple, strong, and durable. Itmay be rolled upcompactly and stowed away in a small space until needed. Nhen needed itmay be easily applied.

\Vhat I claim as myinvention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent.is-

In a fire-escape, the combination, with rungs and chains or like devicesextending between them, of ferrules, made in the form of caps, coveringthe ends of the rungs, and provided with means whereby the chains orlike devices may be secured to them, and rods extending longitudinallythrough the rungs and fastened at their ends in the caps, and securingthem together,substantially as specified.

2. The combination, with a tire-escape having its rungs connected bychains or like devices, of hooks connected to the upper ends of thechains or like devices for securing the same to the sill of a window,and other hooks for'securing them to the jambs ot' the window,substantially as specified.

3. The combination, with a fire-escape having its rungs connected bychains or like devices, which also extend above the top rung, and areprovided with fastenings for securing" them to a window, of anextensible brace for the upper portions of the chains or like devices,substantially as specified.

JAMES H. MGELROY.

Vitnesses:

EMMETT TUlI-IILL, W ARREN H. COBURN.

